Martian Blood Moon Eclipse

Astrologers around the world are looking to the upcoming Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse as one of the most important astrological events of 2018, not only because it’s the longest eclipses of the Century (totality clocking-in at 1 hour 43 minutes) but because it occurs while Mars is at opposition with the Sun (also Mars’ closest orbital approach to the Earth). This is a tight syzygy involving Sun-Moon-Earth-Mars, but whether something goes off or not is difficult to say with Mars retrograde representing the impulse to act being squelched or repressed in some way.

Looking at the chart for this Full Moon Eclipse, we see the Moon-Mars opposition to the Leo Sun forming a tight T-square to Uranus in early Taurus. Such a concentrated dose of planetary energy locked into the fixed signs of the zodiac carries explosive potential due to the elevated amount of tension involved and the potential for sudden release. Uranus introduces a wild-card to the mix with discoveries, revelations and detonations in store that could knock us out of our comfort zones of predictable manifestations and status-quo expectations.

On a personal scale of expression, this Full Moon Eclipse speaks to the polarity between the egotistical desire to be acknowledged (Leo Sun) and the need to act and feel a part of a larger whole (Aquarius Moon and Mars). With both Mars and Mercury retrograde, we’re advised to contemplate our actions and behaviors before setting off on any course of action that has long-term repercussions. As you know, eclipses often take weeks, months or even years to unfold, so be sure to use your wisdom and deepest intuition before acting as you’ll have to live with the consequences.

In the Big Picture, I fully expect to see most of the external manifestations of this martian eclipse to be centered on the shit-show passing for politics (Aquarius/Leo) right now although it’s important to note that we’re only at the midpoint of a three-part eclipse. This lunar eclipse is sandwiched between two partial solar eclipses; the last one having taken place in Cancer on July 12 and the next partial eclipse occurring on Aug. 11 in Leo. Whatever emerges at this eclipse won’t fully unwind until then as the third and final eclipse acts as an echo from last August’s Total Solar Eclipse in Leo. Do I expect this to impact Donald Trump? Yes, I do. Last summer’s eclipse hit Trump’s Ascendant/Regulus/Mars in Leo which made him a marked man and although I’m surprised that his shit hasn’t hit the fan yet; apparently the darkness he represents still has more work to do.

Regardless of what happens with our currently unbalanced and highly dysfunctional governmental structures, the entire planet is undergoing a profound shift that may not be clearly evident. We should expect some of the most important developments taking place in the locations that will actually witness the eclipse (Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East) even though this eclipse will ring the planet like a bell, pointing to the next step on our way to waking from the long sleep of history. Whatever transpires, don’t allow fear to take hold when the only real solution to the problems we face us is love, pure and simple. Love.

The Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse takes place on Friday, at 4:20 pm (Eastern Time), illuminating the early degrees of Aquarius and Leo (04AQU/LEO45). For more detailed information regarding the mechanics of this eclipse, check out this link.

Mercury Retrograde

If the eclipse with Mars at opposition wasn’t enough, this week sees the second of three Mercury retrogrades of the year as the planet of communication and transportation backtracks in Leo for 24 days, coinciding with misunderstandings, misdirections, redundancies, technical glitches, breakdowns and errors. Generally speaking, this event usually only amounts to annoyances and hindrances to getting things done in a timely manner with the occasional missed connection and abrupt surprise.Even so, this Mercury retrograde could appear more fraught that usual if only because it occurs one day before the Total Lunar Eclipse takes place, involving Mars at the peak of its retrograde cycle. Taken together, both Mercury and Mars in retrograde at the same time could spell trouble, particularly where breakdowns and glitches are concerned.Just how this will manifest in the craziness that seems to be overtaking the daily news cycle remains to be seen, but I would suggest that whatever occurs during the course of the next month won’t be the end of the story. I would expect that we’ll be seeing something come to a head half-way through Mercury’s retrograde on Aug. 8-9, but we’ll still be left dangling until Mercury leaves its retrograde shadow on Sept. 3.

On a more personal level of experience, we need to be aware of what we’re putting out into the world during this particular Mercury retrograde as it will be occurring in Leo where the potential for acting-out runs high along with an irrepressible need to express ourselves, sometimes in dramatic fashion. Instead of putting it out there, we’re advised to keep our cards close to our chest while using this next month for review, reconsideration, research, study, inquiry and quiet, open-ended planning.

Items to avoid include signing binding contracts or making any kind of formal agreements; purchasing computers, smartphones and other techie stuff; elective car repairs or manuscript submissions. If you’re booking flights and travel arrangements online, double-check your information; the same goes for online purchases or switching cable/phone providers. Mailing important documents or packages? Get delivery confirmation and insure the expensive stuff. Traveling? Give yourself extra time to get to your destination, be patient, and in any case, make sure you have a Plan B at the ready and you’re good to go. One last thing to keep in mind with Mercury retrograde: assume nothing!

Mercury stations retrograde late Wednesday night in the latter degrees of Leo (23Leo27), remaining retrograde until Aug. 19 when it turns direct toward the middling degrees of Leo (11Leo32).

Lunar Gardening Report

This week offers limited opportunities favorable for planting and fertilizing despite the fact that the Moon is in its waxing phase. Sunday through Tuesday afternoon sees the Moon in the fires of Sagittarius; ideal for weeding and pest control as well as cutting and clearing stuff we don’t want to grow back immediately. The sole planting window this week opens late Tuesday through Thursday when the Moon makes its way through Capricorn, favoring most plantings with an emphasis on tubers or anything requiring strong root development. Friday and Saturday not only host the infertile Aquarius Moon, but the Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse and an absolutely terrible time to do much of anything in the garden. You’ll want to wait until Monday for that, and with the Moon moving through ultra-fertile Pisces at that time, well worth the wait.

Daily Forecast (For all signs)(Times are Eastern Daylight/-0400UTC)

Sunday, July 22: The Sagittarius Moon lends a more upbeat, optimistic tone to the day with the potential for opportunities during the morning hours. Lighthearted activities with friends, family and loved ones are also highlighted during the morning hours (Venus sextile Jupiter). A slightly more energetic turn is possible late afternoon while we see the Sun cross the cusp into Leo, the sign of its natural rulership at 5:00 pm, indicating a month given to creativity, self-expression, drama and a dose of bombast. Happy Birthday, Leos! Life would certainly be boring without you!

Monday, July 23: A mixed bag of indicators are on tap through most of the day with a fair amount of hyperbole and exaggerated opinion to contend with under the Sagittarius Moon. Closer to lunch we may find ourselves facing differences in tastes and values while things could grow a bit murky in the early afternoon with misunderstandings and misdirections clogging the flow. Things will definitely clear as we make our way into the evening hours with a variety of entertainments beckoning.

Tuesday, July 24: Beliefs and ideologies are likely to add some confusion to the mix with a fair amount of denial or deception thrown-in, just for fun (Venus opposed Neptune). Honesty and compassion within the context of intimate relationships should be taken seriously while on a more mundane level of expression, financial indicators could be showing signs of weakening. This then would be greeted with a more somber and serious plan of action once the Moon crosses the cusp into Capricorn at 5:49 pm before going on to make an alignment with Uranus that bodes well for breakthrough solutions. Watch the Moon’s close approach to Saturn during the overnight hours.

Wednesday, July 25: Here we go! Mercury begins its retrograde station today, suggesting news and information going off the rails with way too much to even take in. Surprises, disruptions and unexpected developments are indicated during the morning hours, particularly with regard to men and authority figures (Sun square Uranus). Matters pertaining to laws, courts and public opinion take on considerable gravity as we move through the evening hours. Mercury stations retrograde tonight for most of the United States (10:00 pm PDT; 11:00 pm MDT; 12:00 midnight CDT), but we’ll talk about that tomorrow.

Thursday, July 26: Mercury Retrograde Begins. Mercury, planet of communication and travel stations retrograde in the late degrees of Leo (23Leo27) at 1:00 am, backtracking in this sign until Aug. 19. Combined with Mars retrograde, this would be a good time to sit back and take stock of where things are at before taking action. Obsessions dominate the morning hours while we need to be alert to the Moon going VOC in Capricorn at 9:40 am, remaining void for the rest of the day. Obviously, this isn’t a very good day for making any kind of impression you wish to stick. In addition, duty, responsibility and consequence are on parade through the afternoon hours which heightens the risk factor considerably (Sun quincunx Saturn). It would be an understatement to say the psychic atmosphere is heating-up with Mars retrograde reaching it’s bi-annual opposition to the Sun even as we approach tomorrow’s Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse in Leo. Yikes!

Friday, July 27: Total Lunar Eclipse. The Moon enters Aquarius at 6:41 am, roughly ten hours before it opposes the Leo Sun to form the Aquarius Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse at 4:20 pm in the early degrees of these signs (04Aqu/Leo45). With the Moon joined to Mars retro during its eclipsed phase, there could be hell to pay somewhere along the line with the greatest concentration of (visible) eclipse energy centered on the Middle East. This would be a good time to send out the healing energy of love to a world trembling in its transition. Almost as an afterthought, another planetary interaction would suggest passion and obsession within the context of relationships tonight with an added emphasis on the freeform expression of one’s sexuality (Venus trine Pluto).

Saturday, July 28: It looks like the skies have fallen into a stunned silence it the wake of yesterday’s cosmic shit storm with the Aquarius Moon making a single aspect to Jupiter in the late morning, suggesting some form of exaggeration, if this is even possible. Tonight favors letting our hair down and enjoying the relaxed company of friends and like-minded individuals with an emphasis on activities off the beaten path. Be safe out there, friends.